Because of this, the epigenetic changes observed in the animal stem cells could affect not just an adult exposed to BBP, but also a growing fetus.

The study is published in the Journal of Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology.

While the results were striking, the researchers are quick to note they could not yet be applied to a human population.

Phthalates and food

BBP is part of a chemical family called phthalates, which are typically used to make plastics soft and malleable.

While BBP is used in many consumer products such as carpet and vinyl flooring, the primary human exposure comes from food consumption.

BBP is not used in food preparation, but it is used in the conveyor belts and plastic fittings on machines used to process many prepared foods.

Food becomes contaminated when BBP leeches into it from the plastic.

The team notes that BBP is banned in all toys and childcare articles both manufactured in, and imported into, the European Union (EU).

The EU has also banned BBP’s use in nail polish, as it is considered to be carcinogenic, mutagenic, or toxic to reproduction (CMR-substance).

While the United States has set limits on the amount of BBP permissible in certain consumer products, it has yet to take the same steps as the EU.

The link with obesity

More than one-third of adult Americans are obese, and obesity-related illnesses, including type 2 diabetes, stroke, and heart disease, have risen exponentially along with climbing obesity rates.

This epidemic costs the United States health care system $190 billion annually, according to one estimate.

Epigenetics is the study of how the environment, including environmental chemicals, can alter gene expression without changing the genetic code.

Previous research has associated epigenetic changes with increasing rates of obesity and obesity-related illnesses.

The researchers have several additional studies planned to study the effect of BBP on fat accumulation and the development of diabetes and obesity (diabesity), one of which includes an epidemiological study tracking exposure and diabesity in humans.

The team suggests that phthalates have recently been associated with obesity, but this was the first time we were able to show the mechanism by which BBP may cause fat accumulation and program the stem cell to become obese via an epigenetic balance.

These results are important, but they are just the first step in further study,” the team cautions.